China Steel Weekly Analysis: HRC +0.84% / MHP +0.99%, August 31, 2026

Weekly Price Signal

China steel spot prices advanced across all four representative categories during the week ending 2026-08-31, confirming a broad-based strength that extends through both flat and long product lines.

On the flat-product side, Hot Rolled Coil (HRC) (2.75×1500×C, Q235B/SS400) priced at USD 549.31/t FOB Shanghai ▲+0.84%, while Cold Rolled Coil (CRC) (1.0mm×1250×2500, ST12/DC01) reached USD 604.24/t ▲+0.25%. Medium Plate (MHP) (8mm×2000×L, Q235B) posted the strongest single-day gain at USD 616.11/t ▲+0.99%. Weekly average comparisons further reinforce this momentum: HRC averaged USD 533/t (+USD 6/t, +1.1%), CRC averaged USD 590/t (+USD 6/t, +1.0%), and MHP averaged USD 597/t (+USD 11/t, +1.9%).

In the building-rebar segment, Rebar (φ10, HRB400) stood at USD 553.76/t ▲+0.83%, High Speed Wire Rod (φ6, Q235) at USD 576.03/t ▲+0.80%, and Spiral Rebar (φ6, HRB400) at USD 607.21/t ▲+0.25%. On a weekly-average basis, rebar averaged USD 536/t (+USD 7/t, +1.3%), wire rod averaged USD 559/t (+USD 8/t, +1.5%), and spiral rebar averaged USD 591/t (+USD 13/t, +2.2%). The spiral rebar weekly average outpaced all other categories, signaling particularly tight supply at the small-diameter end.

In profiles, Channel Steel (10#, Q235) priced at USD 541.88/t ▲+0.56%, I-Beam (12#, Q235) at USD 559.70/t ▲+0.27%, and Angle Steel (50×50×5, Q235) at USD 538.91/t ▲+0.57%. Weekly averages showed uniform strength: angle steel at USD 523/t (+USD 5/t, +1.0%), channel at USD 526/t (+USD 5/t, +1.0%), and I-beam at USD 545/t (+USD 5/t, +0.9%).

The DSP Composite Index recorded 961.05 on 2026-08-14, rising +0.22% from the prior reading; however this figure is STALE as of 2026-08-14 (data frozen 7+ days) and should be treated as reference only. The spot-data-driven weekly averages, derived from live Shanghai transactions, remain the authoritative signal for this period.

Exchange-rate context: USD/CNY settled at 6.735761 on 2026-08-31, providing a stable conversion baseline for international landed-cost modeling.

For prospective buyers evaluating cost-per-ton delivery to port, model your break-even at current FOB levels and prevailing ocean freight using our Landed Cost Calculator.

Cost & Freight Matrix

Cross-Border Grade Equivalence

Procurement teams sourcing China-origin steel for ASTM or EN-compliant projects must map GB mill designations to their Western equivalents to avoid specification mismatches at customs and third-party inspection.

• Hot Rolled Coil: GB Q235B ≈ ASTM A36 / EN S235JR. Both carry a minimum yield of 235 MPa. Q235B additionally requires a positive-impact test at 20°C, making it the closer match to S235JR rather than the base A36 spec. For welded-structure applications specifying EN 10025-2, request mill test certificates confirming S235JR equivalency on Q235B material.

• Cold Rolled Coil: GB Q195/Q235 base ≈ ASTM A1008 Grade BLQ / EN 10130 DC01 (ST12). The DC01/ST12 designation denotes deep-draw quality; confirm that the Chinese supplier's chemical analysis meets the C≤0.10%, P≤0.040%, Mn 0.15–0.50% window specified in EN 10130.

• Medium Plate: GB Q235B ≈ ASTM A572 Gr.50 (for thicker sections ≥20 mm where yield rises to 345 MPa) or EN S355J2+N depending on project thickness and impact requirement. For marine and offshore plate, request EN 10028-2 S355J2+N equivalence rather than relying on Q235B alone.

• Rebar: GB HRB400 (φ10) ≈ ASTM A615 Gr.60 (Grade 420). HRB400's 400 MPa minimum yield aligns with Grade 420; verify Ceq ≤0.50% for weldability in seismic-zone applications. Spiral rebar (HRB400, φ6) maps to ASTM A706 Gr.60 when low-alloy/weldable properties are required.

• Structural Profiles (Angle/Channel/I-Beam): GB Q235 ≈ ASTM A36 / EN S275JR. For I-beam 12# (Q235), confirm flange-width and web-thickness tolerances against EN 10034 or ASTM A6 before ordering; Chinese GB/T 706 dimensions run nominally identical but tolerance bands differ by approximately ±1.5 mm on flange width versus EN precision.

These equivalences are directional, not certifying — always obtain written mill-test confirmation from the supplier and, where required, a third-party inspection agency such as SGS or Bureau Veritas before shipment.

Procurement Action

Flat-Product Buyers (HRC / CRC / MHP) • HRC: Strong Buy Window. Weekly average of USD 533/t rose +1.1% from the prior week; current spot USD 549.31/t reflects a 3.0% premium over the weekly mean, suggesting late-week buying pressure. Cover forward contracts at current levels and use Landed Cost Calculator to validate CIF economics for your destination port. • CRC: Hold & Monitor. The +0.25% daily move is the weakest in the flat suite; weekly average USD 590/t (+1.0%) suggests contained demand. Await mid-September inventory restocking before committing large tonnage. • MHP: Strong Buy Window. The +0.99% daily gain and +1.9% weekly-average uplift (USD 597/t, +USD 11/t) are the strongest signals across all categories. Structural-steel and pressure-vessel demand is approaching its seasonal peak — lock volumes now via RFQ Gateway and hedge against further Q3 strength.

Long-Product Buyers (Rebar / Wire Rod / Spiral Rebar / Angle / Channel / I-Beam) • Rebar & Wire Rod: Strong Buy Window. Rebar weekly average USD 536/t (+1.3%) and wire rod USD 559/t (+1.5%) show steady upward drift aligned with infrastructure spending cycles. Spiral rebar at USD 591/t (+2.2% weekly avg) is the standout — small-diameter supply constraints are driving disproportionate gains; secure allocations before any spot compression. • Angles, Channels, I-Beams: Hold & Monitor. Profile weekly averages all rose +0.9–1.0%, the mildest band in the report. Current price levels offer a reasonable entry point, but the absence of sharp acceleration suggests waiting for a pullback of USD 3–5/t before locking large orders.

All pricing in this report is expressed in USD per ton FOB Shanghai, derived from DSP spot transactions and converted using the DSP exchange rate of 1 USD = 6.735761 CNY as of 2026-08-31. Freight vectors reflect current containerized-liner conditions from Shanghai origin and should be re-validated at time of booking.